DS Penske has finalised its driver pairing for the upcoming 2026 Madrid Rookie Test at the Circuito del Jarama on Sunday, 22nd March. The team has chosen the safe route by naming Nikita Bedrin and Daniil Kvyat, returning rookie drivers, to represent the team. The test will follow Formula E’s first visit to Madrid and Round 6 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Bedrin Continues Formula E Learning Curve
For Bedrin, the test represents another step in his growing experience with Formula E machinery. The 20-year-old has already sampled the car twice before. He drove the GEN3 Evo during the Berlin Rookie Test in 2025 and again earlier this season in the rookie practice session at the Miami E-Prix. His practice shows results, as the young driver ended the American session as the fifth fastest in the field of eleven.
The Russian-Italian driver first built his reputation in karting, racing a memorable campaign in 2020 when he dominated the OK category of the WSK Super Master Series. His progression through the single-seater ranks has continued since then. A sprint race victory in the FIA Formula 3 Championship during the 2024 season highlighted his potential again. This year he has taken the next step into the GB3 Championship with VRD Racing, where he is currently aiming to challenge for the title.
Kvyat Returns to the Formula E Cockpit
Alongside Bedrin, DS PENSKE will send former Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat out again. The 31-year-old brings extensive top-level experience after several seasons in Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso.
Kvyat is already familiar with Formula E’s test environment. He previously took part in rookie running in Berlin with both DS PENSKE and the NIO 333 Formula E Team, giving him prior experience of the championship’s all-electric cars. Even with all this experience, in Formula E’s books, he’s a rookie. Away from Formula E, the Russian driver is set to expand his racing experience further in 2026 by joining the Super GT grid with JLOC.
Rookie Test Finishes Historic Madrid Weekend
The rookie session forms the final track activity of a brand new race week for the championship, as Formula E makes its first appearance in the Spanish city. The race at Jarama will also feature a home hero, Spanish driver Pepe Martí, who will be aiming to impress in front of local fans. After the E-Prix concludes on Saturday, attention will turn to Sunday’s rookie test. An opportunity for all the emerging talents and experienced drivers alike to take advantage of valuable track time in the series’ latest generation of cars.